Cuba: una nuova vita – Obama lascia un segno indelebile

I was sitting down and weeping, yes weeping, and mourning the death of Nelson Mandela in front of the TV, December last year,   when I surprisingly saw US president Obama shaking hands with with Raul Castro – who was amongst the dignitaries – attending the funeral ceremony. That was when I knew that Obama was going to unfrozen the relationship between the biggest advocate of democracy in the world and the Socialist Island accused of Human Rights abuse.

I then thought it wise to go quickly and see how things are before the change comes. So I jumped on to a flight last autumn and headed directly to the Island to have my own first hand view of what the atmosphere is like before the big change starts. Well, I was right. The change has come – at least verbally – and there is no turning back. The US President Obama has decided to ‘‘soften’’ the embargo against the beautiful and humble Island of Cuba. Of course we are not giving all the merits to Obama alone, Pope John Paul II had already started paving way for this great day far back in years before he passed away. And it is not surprising that Pope Francis’s influences are in this change Raul Castro did announce and thanked the Pope when he was giving his speech on the bilateral withdrawal from ‘‘cold war’’ between the two countries. Of course it has become a bit embarrassing for the the US to find itself as the only country which still doesn’t have a diplomatic relationship with the Island and that is ridiculous.

It is ridiculous that Americans have to travel to Europe first to be able to buy a ticket to go to Cuba as much as it is ridiculous that Cubans who contribute a lot to the economy and politics of USA should be ignored as if they are ghosts. The state of California and most especially that of Florida are both dependent on the votes of the so called ‘’ hispanic’’ for both state of national election in the Unites States. On the other hand Cuba and indirectly Cubans economy had lived all these years with the money injected by the Island migrants to the US. The Islanders also need to get the basics for living such as food and medicines. So, this is a win-win situation and not ‘‘willfully ignorant’’ slamming on Obama uttered by Marco Rubio – the Florida Republican senator and possible Republican candidate for the 2016 White House election. Of course, I understand his concern, this Obama move would pave way for more votes of the hispanics in favour of the Democrats. And hopefully, it would help Mrs Hillary Clinton – most welcome gender change – repack her luggage and get back to White House for another 8 good years. Hopefully.

It is as much ridiculous and a lesson of resistance and dignity that the Cubans foiled the intention of the sanctions since it didn’t work all these 54 years that it had been in place. So, why carry on? It just doesn’t bend the Cubans, they are able to continue to live in their dignified poverty without stooping to conquer to the ‘‘punishment’’ inflicted by the embargo. The ‘‘punishment’’ instead brought about the Cuban’s ingenuity in all senses: they are able to mend and make the Chevys and Buics, hastily left behind by the Americans, work and cruise their streets with home made spare-parts and improvised maintenances. They have learnt to live ‘‘comfortably’’ without the comfort taken for granted in the western world. Amongst this is connectivity to internet to mention but one.

The trade restriction had not worked for 54years so as a game changer, Mr Obama rightfully think that another approach should be taken to persuade Cuban officials and politicians into giving their citizens free speech, freedom of political ideologies, respect of human rights, free trade, international relationship with the rest of the world, food and well being. And most especially, possibility to dream and be ambitious which has been a luxury to the Islanders till today.

It is a beautiful day.

Though this would not overshadow the barbaric act of the Talibans killing school children nor will it heal the wound we are licking of the hostages killed in the centre of Sydney. But at least some positive history is being made. A legacy by which we will for ever remember Mr Barack Obama.

Enjoy!